The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-06-24
THE DISCUSSION.


came warm.
THE DISCUSSION.
Alderman Hoerr brought up the ques-
ton and remarked that some action
ought to be taken in the matter at once.
Alderman Pitcher moved that the
committee on sewers and the city en-
gineer be instructed to secure suitable
engineer for the purpose of consultation
in regard to a sewer system for the city.
This motion was promptly seconded and
the ball opened.
Alderman Pitcher spoke in support of
his motion, saying that while the people
wanted sewers they were opposed to the
proposed system on account of its prob
able excessive cost. They wanted a
competent engineer to thoroughly in
vestigate the matter and were willing to
pay him a reasonable amount for his
services. He was opposed to the pro-
posed system on account of its expense
Alderman Boegcn said that the people
were tired of having Front street torn
up and thought that not a dozen men
who did business on that street were in
favor of having the sewer placed on
Front street.
Alderman Patterson couldn't see how
a sewer could be constructed without
tearing up Front street-not even If the
sewer was in the alley. He stated that
the council had already secured the SER
vices of a competent engineer and that
our own engineer had examined into
the matter and had estimated the cost OF
the part to be constructed this year at
SIT 900. He said that If we wanted sew
ers we must pay something for them.
Alderman Boegen did not think that
the sewer could be laid on Front street
on account of the quicksand. There was
no foundation for the pipes to rest upon
He waxed warm and ended by saying:
81 don't want to see the council steal
money from the taxpayers on account
of one or two men who do not have
brains to the amount of a cent"
Alderman Dougherty feared that il
the plans were changed the city would
be without sewers.
Engineer Lilly was called upon and
stated that he had just run across Mr..
Loweth's estimate of the cost of laying
the sewer according to the plan under
consideration, and that Mr.. Loweth's es.
innate was.$l so less per foot than his
own. Being questioned, he stated that
he did not know how deep the quicksand
was. 1t had been struck at eight feet be.
low the surface of the ground at Mr..
Meagher's building, next to the City
Hall.
Aid. Pitcher thought that the plan was
impracticable, on account of the i'm.
mense cost it would entail, the opinions
of Messrs Loweth and Lilly to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. Although there
was no question but that the city must
have sewerage, he thought that the sys-
tenn would have to be changed before
the people would vote the money, but
was confident that the people would vote
the money when the proper system was
adopted. He urged that few hundred
dollars paid to an experienced engineer
for his services and advice would be well
spent, considering the great expenditure
involved. He was IN favor of obtaining
the assistance of more than one expert
if necessary.
Aid. Schroeder called the attention OF
the council to the fact that Mr.. Geo. Pass
had given great deal of attention to the
sewerage question, and had plans in his
Office that would be very suitable for
Mankato, and would involve much less
expenditure. He stated that Mr.. Pass
was willing to show them to any council
man who would call at his Office.
Aid. Hoerr thought that the system
would have to be changed. He thought
that If 1t was not undertaken TO drain the
city from the slough to Spring street in
one set of pipes, it would only be neces-
sary to place the pipes eight or ten feet
deep. With the pipes as deep as was
proposed, the water from the river
would back up in them and stop their
usefulness for several weeks each spring.
In answer to questions, Engineer Lilly
stated that quick sand would be encoun-
tered on Front street at depth of about
six feet. 1t was struck at eight feet un-
der the City Hall, and at six or seven
feet north of the City Hall. Eight feet
was safe depth to go to get below the
frost line.
Aid. Pitchers motion was then voted
upon and carried.
OTHER BUSINESS.
Messrs. Stephen Lamm, E. M. Pope
and Ed. Bradley we're appointed com.
missioners for the purpose of assessing
the benefits and damages of the Bradley
street improvement.
Mr.. Geisike appeared before the conn
ell and complained of water runninginto
his cellar, cistern, etc., and asked that
some action be taken in the matter. The
water comes from the tank Of the Sioux
City R. R., and there has evidently been
gross negligence in the matter on the
,art of that company, The city attorney